Freshly-baked bread, creamy pasta, and perhaps a portion of strawberries for that balanced diet. Afterall, these foods do sound a lot more wholesome than feasting on fried chicken and greasy burgers. …but are they really healthier for the gut?
We’re all guilty of indulging in our favourite foods. And there’s absolutely no shame in doing that (we admit to doing it too!) But did you know there’s a reason for the uncomfy post-meal bloat? It might be an inflammation that your body’s signalling.
What is Inflammation?
Inflammation is a key sign of leaky gut syndrome. It may look (or feel) like bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, skin problems, and more. Because our bodies are intelligent, inflammation is one way they alert us of invasive particles in our systems. And this might be because of a leaky gut syndrome.
Leaky Gut Syndrome: A Quick Explanation
If this is your first time hearing of leaky gut syndrome, let’s simplify it for you. Think of your gut lining as a castle – it protects enemies from entering directly into the bloodstream. However, when your gut lining breaks down, bacteria and toxins start gaining access to your body. The biggest reasons for a leaky gut? Read on to find out.
3 Causes of a Leaky Gut Syndrome - Your Mind, Body and World
i. Ultra-Processed Foods [Physiological]
If, at this point, you’re thinking, “ultra-processed foods don’t matter to me! I’m conscious about what I eat!” – you may want to read on to find out why that belief is a myth. With the clean-eating and food sustainability movement, advertisers are now getting smarter. Ultra-processed foods are now marketed as foods that are beneficial for you, rather than actually being beneficial for you.
Organic VS Processed VS Ultra-Processed Foods
We’re sure you’ve heard of all these buzz words. But what are the differences, and what’s really, truly good for you?
• Organic: Fresh produce that have not been in contact with synthetic chemicals or genetic modifiers (GMOs)
• Processed: Any foods that have been washed, cleaned, cut, chopped, etc.
• Ultra-processed: Processed foods – but with added ingredients such as salt, sugar, fats, additives, colouring, preservatives… the list goes on
While processed foods are virtually unavoidable in our lives, they do still have nutritional value to them. Ultra-processed foods, on the other hand, strips away the food of most of its nutrition – and on top of that, piles on unnecessary additives our body shouldn’t consume. Some examples may shock you:
• Breakfast cereals
• Protein bars
• Fruit-flavoured yoghurts
• Plant-based alternative milks
ii. Environmental Toxins [Environmental]
Did you know? In Malaysia, the concentration of air pollutants in 2021 increased by 4% throughout the year. Especially if you’re living in the city with many motor vehicles, it is no wonder why. While environmental toxins are commonly known as air pollutants, it’s also not limited to merely that.
Here are examples of some other toxins you’re consuming that might shock you:
• Triclosan – an antibacterial and antifungal agent found in daily toothpaste, soaps, detergents, cleaning treatments and yes – even toys!
• Pesticides – found in fruits and vegetables (especially strawberries)
• Lead – imagine a heavy chemical being found in your lipstick!
Because our gut microbiome (i.e. microorganisms in our tummy) requires an intricate balance to thrive, these environmental toxins will change the composition of our gut. That’s when you will start feeling all sorts of wonky – low energy, low immune system, digestive systems such as constipation or bloating.
iii. Stress [Psychological]
If you think your body is only affected by physiological changes, think again! That is a myth – because our bodies function holistically. When our bodies and minds experience stress, it actually releases hormones and chemicals to our digestive tract, thereby disrupting the harmony of our guts. This is why you probably feel like peeing or pooping a lot more before a big test or nerve-wrecking event! Apart from these momentous events, here are some other ways stress exists in our lives:
• Work responsibilities
• Inadequate sleep
• Drastic change in lifestyles
• Having intrusive and overwhelming thoughts – e.g. anxiety, depression, etc.
Simple Steps To Prevent A Leaky Gut
• Food consumption – look out for the ingredients in your groceries before purchasing. A quick understanding of ‘Clean 15’ and ‘Dirty Dozen’ foods may be helpful for your next grocery run.
• Environmental toxins – do a comprehensive scan of the chemicals that go into your daily products and make-up. If the compound sounds unfamiliar to you, it’ll probably be good to do some research.
• Stress – whether it’s journaling, picking up a sport, doing yoga, meditation. Find something that makes you feel intrinsic joy and release. Mindfulness is key!
• Probiotics – While it may not be possible to battle against every environmental toxin, ultra-processed food, or stress, here’s when your probiotics come in super handy in fighting off infections and bad bacteria. A must-have for keeping your body healthy and strong!
A Loving Encouragement From Us At It’s Pieority
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, that’s completely understandable – it almost seems like in an increasingly complex world like ours, we as consumers can’t quite distinguish between what’s good or bad for us anymore.
However, here’s where It’s Pieority encourages you! We’ve once been there before (and are still always trying to figure these struggles out).
This is where we aim to empower you with all the knowledge, so you can in turn, reclaim your unique narrative for a healthy mind, body and spirit!
If this article has been useful for you, drop us a follow at @itspieority for more content, goodness and love!
